September 2006 Newsletter
Inaugural Newsletter -- September 1, 2006
Welcome to the first edition of the NAPT Program Newsletter. Through this venue, the NAPT Oversight Committee (S-890) plans to provide you with updates on the program, information on upcoming events, a summary of committee activities and lists of important dates. We hope you find this newsletter helpful and informative. Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see addressed in upcoming issues.
NAPT Program Welcomes New Program Coordinator
Dr. Janice Kotuby-Amacher has been hired by the Soil Science Society of America as the new Program Coordinator for the NAPT Program. Dr. Kotuby-Amacher, who previously served as the Representative of the NAPT Program Contract Laboratory, comes to the program with over 17 years of experience in agricultural laboratory management, quality control/quality assurance, soil testing, plant and water analysis, and proficiency testing programs. She has been actively involved with the NAPT Program since its inception and is thoroughly familiar with the day to day operation of the program. Dr, Kotuby-Amacher looks forward to continuing to provide the high level of quality service which NAPT participants have come to expect. In conjunction with the NAPT Oversight Committee and SSSA Headquarters, she also plans to implement several new features to provide greater service to clients including a greatly expanded NAPT Program web site which will be going live in just a few weeks.
When Dr. Kotuby-Amacher is not busy preparing exchange samples or responding to NAPT participants, she serves on the faculty of the Plants, Soils and Biometeorology Department as Director of the Utah State University Analytical Laboratory in Logan, Utah. She also teaches several courses including Fundamentals of Soil Science and the General Soils Laboratory. During the past few years, in addition to her laboratory, teaching and NAPT responsibilities, she has collaborated on research projects and educational efforts related to improvements in soil test methodology, compost quality, water quality and reclamation of mine spoils. She has been a speaker at many laboratory and Extension workshops giving presentations on a variety of topics. She has authored or co-authored a number of publications including Extension fact sheets and bulletins, regional manuals and journal articles. She has been actively involved in the Soil Science Society of America, the Soil and Plant Analysis Council and the Western Regional Work Group (WERA-103, formerly known as WCC-103).
Dr. Kotuby-Amacher looks forward to working with the NAPT Program and its participants. If you wish to contact her, she can be reached by phone at (435) 797-2117 or by e-mail at jkotuby@mendel.usu.edu .
NAPT Program Launching New Web Site
As a result of the joint efforts of Jan Kotuby-Amacher, Program Coordinator, Randall Warden, Chair of the NAPT Oversight Committee Website Subcommittee, Ian Popkewitz, Director of IT and Operations of SSSA, and several others, the NAPT Program now has a greatly enhanced website. It has long been a goal of the NAPT Program to improve our website, both to improve the efficiency of communication with participants and to increase our presence to the public. The new web site, which can be found at the URL http://www.naptprogram.org, includes pages with general information about the program, contact information for all committee members, links to program forms, regional method manuals and other programs which may interest NAPT participants, and links to enroll online. Although some information is still being added, much has been posted already. Future plans include posting current and past quarter reports reports and the addition of current inventory of program materials available for purchase.
Once everything has been added, updated, and tested, NAPT participants will be notified of the "Official Grand Opening" of the new web site. Watch for a notice coming soon in your e-mail.
NAPT Social Planned for SSSA Meeting in Indianapolis
Come join fellow NAPT Participants for an evening of good conversation and fabulous food on Sunday, November 12, 2006. The NAPT Oversight Committee will host a welcome social for all participants attending the annual meetings or just in the area at the Rock Bottom Brewery at 10 West Washington Street in Downtown Indianapolis. We are planning a relaxing evening to just sit back and visit before the heavy duty meeting work begins -- No meetings, no discussions, no votes... Space will be reserved beginning at 6:30 pm. Dinner and drinks are on your own (Hey -- if NAPT were to foot the bill, the NAPT fees would go up...). Come join us for an evening of fun. We hope to see you there.
- RSVP by November 9th to Don Horneck if you plan to attend: DonHorneck .
- Click here to view the website for TheRock Bottom Brewery .
SSSA Annual Meeting to be Held in Indianapolis, IN
The Soil Science of America will hold its Annual Meeting in conjunction with the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America in Indianapolis, IN, from November 12 - 16, 2006. Many scientific programs, committee meetings, educational workshops and tours are planned as well as numerous social events. Meeting information can be found online at http://www.acsmeetings.org/ . Registration, housing, and program information opened on August 1, 2006.
The NAPT Oversight Committee will hold its annual meetings on Monday, November 13th and Tuesday, November 14th, 2006. If there are issues that you would like to have brought up for discussion, please contact the Committee Chair, Vicki Normandin, Vice-Committee Chair, Don Horneck or any other NAPT committee member. Contact information is provided below.
Annual NAPT Participant Survey Coming in September
The annual survey of participants on NAPT Program operations and quality is being finalized. As was done last year, the survey will be issued by email by the NAPT Oversight Committee via SSSA Headquarters using the Zoomerang software. Watch your Inbox for the e-mail with the survey link sometime in Mid-September. Please respond as the input you provide will help us to better serve your laboratory in the future.
Bulk Soil Samples Needed for Quarterly Exchanges
The NAPT Program is always looking for additional bulk soil samples to ensure that the soils used in the program truly represent all parts of North America. In any given year, the program requires at least 17 different soils. Currently, the program is especially in need of at least 6 lower pH soils , those with a pH of 7.0 or less. If you are willing to provide soils, NAPT will cover the cost of shipping. The program can also supply buckets, if ne cessary . Fifteen to sixteen 5 gallon buckets of soil material are required to prepare each quarterly exchange sample. To minimize shipping costs as well as changes in the soil, please air-dry the soils prior to shipping. If you are willing to provide soils for the NAPT program, please contact Dr. Kotuby -Amacher as soon as possible at the numbers listed above. Thank you for assisting the program.
Contact Information for the NAPT Oversight Committee
| Committee Chair | Vice-Chair | Past Chair | Program Coordinator |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Vicki Normandin Motzz Laboratories Tel: 602-454-2376
|
Don Horneck Oregon State University Tel: 541-567-8321 |
Karen Gartley University of Delaware Tel: 302-831-1385 |
Janice Kotuby-Amacher Utah State University
Tel:
435-797-2217
|
For a full listing of all committee members, see the "Committee" page under "About Us" on the new NAPT Program Website: http://www.naptprogram.org
Important Dates
|
August 1 |
Annual SSSA Meeting Registration Opens -- ClickHere for more information. |
|
September 1 |
2nd Quarter Samples Due |
|
September 15 |
Estimated 3rd Quarter Sample Ship Date |
|
October 10 |
SSSA Annual Meeting Early Bird Registration Ends -- Rates increase after this date |
|
October 23 |
SSSA Annual Meeting Housing Deadline |
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November 1 |
Estimated 3rd Quarter Sample Due Date |
|
November 9 |
RSVP by this date for the NAPT Social at the SSSA Annual Meeting |
|
November 12 |
SSSA Annual Meeting Opens in Indianapolis, IN |
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November 12 |
NAPT Social at TheRock Bottom Brewery , 6:30 pm |
|
November 13 |
NAPT Oversight Committee Annual Meeting Part 1 -- 1:30 to 3:30 pm |
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November 14 |
NAPT Oversight Committee Annual Meeting Part 2 -- 9:00 to 11:00 am |
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November 15 |
Estimated 4th Quarter Sample Ship Date |
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December 31 |
Estimated 4th Quarter Due Date |